www.voacolorado.org

If you want to give a room a face lift, call the Major League Soccer staff; they do an outstanding job! During the recent Major League Soccer (MLS) All-Star Game, staff from MLS and their partners at Kroenke Sports and Wells Fargo came to renovation four rooms at Volunteers of America’s motel for homeless families.

With new families coming in every week, the rooms were in need of a fresh coat of paint. MLS, Kroenke Sports, and Wells Fargo made it possible for the rooms to also be updated with new décor.

All a part of the All Star Day of Service, the volunteers showed up bright and early to paint. They quickly got to painting and having a little fun too. It felt like no time at all before the first room was completely painted, the second and third quickly followed. Because of their hard work, in what felt like a blink of an eye, all the rooms were finish!

Volunteers sorted out the decorations that would go in each room and unpacked the new goodies. Now it was time to fill the rooms with new blankets, towels, encouraging wall signs, sheets and more.

For a family who is coming in off of the streets or, maybe, just lost their home for the first time, moving into any shelter can be scary and unsettling. Having a clean, nicely decorated, and welcoming place can go a long way in comforting a family in a time of crisis. Thanks to work of the MLS All Star Day of Service volunteers, homeless families staying at the Volunteers of America’s Family Motel have a truly beautiful and uplifting place to stay!

Last week Volunteers of America Colorado heard exciting news; we received a $40,000 grant through Denver Post Charities, a McCormick Foundation Fund, with funds raised from the Season to Share campaign. Other nonprofits heard the same exciting news. A total of $2,350,000 was distributed to 53 nonprofit organizations across the Denver metropolitan region through Denver Post Charities.

Two representatives from our staff, Jordan Kellerman, Director of Public Relations and Marketing, and Mary Farr, Grants Manager, had the honor of accepting the $40,000 check in a ceremony last week.

Program participants enjoy a recent event at the Bannock Youth Center.

This grant will support Volunteers of America’s homeless youth and young mothers transitional housing programs. This incredible program serves homeless individuals between the age of 16 and 24 and helps them secure permanent housing.

Participants in the programs receive case management services to help support them in their employment, education, independent living, parenting skills and more. Youth also receive services from the Bannock Youth Center; where they can go for mentoring, meals, life skills classes, and job searching. The goal of the program is to help young people become self-sufficient.

Volunteers of America is incredibly grateful to the Denver Post Charities, a McCormick Foundation Fund, for this generous grant to help our community’s homeless youth. Furthermore, we would like to thank everyone who supported the Season to Share campaign; your sharing made a difference!

Interested in learning more about the homeless youth and young mothers transitional housing programs? There are many opportunities throughout the year to volunteer and provide resources for these Volunteers of America programs. Visit the our webpage to find out more: http://www.voacolorado.org/gethelp-denvermetro-ryes-youth

Whether it’s dealing with lots of phone calls and lowball offers from prospective buyers or the infamous trade-in offer that never seems to be as much as your car is worth, selling a car is not fun. Or maybe your car has not moved in months and you would have to spend hundreds of dollars in repairs before the car would be ready to sell. All of these are perfect reasons to donate your car.

2. We will pick it up

Setting up a pick up for your vehicle is just a phone call away. Call, 1-877-862-1227, or submit the online form and someone will come and pick up the vehicle from you within 48 hours, no hassle!

3. It is a Tax write off

When you donate your vehicle, you can receive an income tax deduction for your charitable gift. We make it easy by providing the donation documentation that you need for your records.

4. You’ll be helping your neighbors

Your donation will go directly to help the over 62 human service Programs that Volunteers of America administers in our Colorado community. We have the resources to turn even the worst “junker” into valuable donations.

Yesterday the Volunteers of America Foster Grandparent Program in the Denver area celebrated 50 years of the program serving youth nationwide. What an incredible legacy! The grandparents came decked out in gold attire in honor of the golden anniversary and the “heart of gold” theme. A wonderful lunch, awards, door prizes, and even a special […]

Whether it is campfire grilling, sack lunches on a hike, or a potluck picnic in the park, you are bound to eat outside sometime during this Colorado summer. Do you know how to ensure your food is safe to eat? Every day the Volunteers of America Michael Kern Kitchen has to keep hundreds of pounds […]

When Jason Flesher returned to the U.S. from Afghanistan in 2003 he was completely broke. The soft-spoken, now 35-year-old joined the U.S. Army Reserves as a carpenter and mason and in 2002 he was deployed to Afghanistan. Due to circumstances out of his control, while he was deployed his finances were completely wiped out making […]

The staff in Volunteers of America’s Healthy Aging department are at it again! The recipe below for Southwest Corn and Bean Salad is one of the latest recipes they have shared in their wellness and fitness classes for seniors. This salad was also a hit at the most recent Volunteers of America Colorado staff birthday party! Taste tested by many […]